News Release

Edward Horton, M.D. Receives JK Lilly Award for Outstanding Service

BOSTON – (November 4, 2014) – Edward Horton, M.D., Senior Investigator at Joslin Diabetes Center and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, was presented with the 2014 Josiah Kirby Lilly Award for outstanding service to all those affected by diabetes on Saturday, November 1 by the American Diabetes Association.

Edward Horton, M.D., Senior Investigator at Joslin and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, receives the 2014 Josiah Kirby Lilly Award for outstanding service to those all those affected by diabetes.

“I feel extremely honored to receive this award, which is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious awards in the field of diabetes and recognizes one’s achievements in a career devoted to research, teaching and patient care with the goal of improving the lives of people affected by the disease,” said Dr. Horton.

The award was presented to Dr. Horton during the 25th anniversary of the American Diabetes Association’s Josiah Kirby Lilly Sr. Distinguished Service Award Gala in Indianapolis, IN.

Dr. Horton began his work in diabetes 50 years ago when he was a fellow in endocrinology and metabolism at Duke University, and he has continued to make diabetes the main focus of his career ever since. This includes his time as the Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of Vermont as well as his time at Joslin as a Senior Investigator and a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator for several large, important National Institutes of Health funded studies, such as the Diabetes Prevention Program, the LookAHEAD Study and a Study of Diabetes, Cardiac Disease and Air Pollution Vulnerability.

As a renowned investigator of obesity and insulin resistance, Dr. Horton studies how these two conditions relate to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the regulation of glucose transport and metabolism in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, and the effects of exercise and physical training on insulin sensitivity.

“Dr. Horton has made major contributions to the study of diabetes and metabolism,” said George King, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President at Joslin. “In addition he has mentored many investigators throughout his career, who have made significant contributions to the understanding of diabetes and its complications.”

In addition to his research on obesity and insulin resistance, Dr. Horton is also committed to patient care, education about diabetes on all levels, and advocacy for people affect by diabetes.

“None of this would have been possible without the mentorship and support of many people who have been my role models in the field of diabetes, including many prior recipients of the this award,” explained Dr. Horton. “I feel deeply honored and humbled to be joining the ranks of so many outstanding leaders in the field of diabetes and hope that I can pass on my own enthusiasm and commitment to those that follow.”